Earth Day 2021

Although Thursday, April 22^nd, was officially Earth Day, every day is a day to celebrate, protect and restore our Earth.  A consistent approach to environmental stewardship is necessary.  On Wednesday, April 21^st, the Junior School actively marked Earth Day 2021 with the help of our Green Team representatives Sadie Junger, Claire Morton, Jessica Etou and Ellie Blois.  Mr. Kershaw and Mr. LePoidevin set the tone for the day by cycling to School from the Wolfville/Port Williams area, a round trip of over 60 km. Students took part in learning activities in the morning, including a discussion and analysis of each student’s carbon footprint.  Students assessed and compared their ‘footprint’ results and created personal plans that could be shared with their families. 

Time was also spent learning about gardening, and everyone enjoyed choosing and planting a variety of herb, vegetable and flower seeds.  The trays of potted seeds will receive continued care from student volunteers, and we all will be checking for early signs of germination in the days and weeks ahead.  An outdoor scavenger hunt got students up and moving around campus in a race to find a variety of eco-friendly items, and the winning team was Ali MacLean, Natalia Shaw, Ava Shearer and Elizabeth Hardy.  All Grade 8 students had an opportunity to tour Mr. Lakes’ property in Wolfville, where the environmental features of solar power and living “off grid” were explained.   Expert beekeeper Mr. Perry Brandt was on site to explain the environmental benefits of beekeeping, and our students asked excellent questions. 

 

Led by our Grade 9 leadership students, the Junior School took part in a Windsor community clean-up, picking up litter from our campus to the Windsor waterfront area.  It was amazing how many garbage bags were filled.  Our celebrations ended with a special tree planting ceremony at lunch.  With shovels in hand, the Green Team representatives turned the soil and planted the commemorative 2021 Earth Day tree by our front gates.  They will be able to watch it grow during their remaining years on campus, knowing that it will provide shade and oxygen for many years to come.

 

It was an excellent day.  Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to raise awareness for environmental stewardship and to carry out activities to make our community cleaner and greener.  Special thanks are extended to Mr. Rochon, Mr. Spengler and the Green Team students for planning our Earth Day events.  Interested students from all grades are encouraged to exercise their environmental leadership by joining the KES Green Team; it is never too late!